Each of these features, together known as Continuity, allow your devices to work together so that you can do more. Make and receive phone calls without picking up your iPhone. Start an email, edit a document, or surf the web on one device, then pick up where you left off on another. Unlock your Mac without typing a password. Even activate your iPhone hotspot without taking your iPhone from your pocket or bag.

With Handoff, you can start work on one device, then switch to another nearby device and pick up where you left off.

Set up Handoff

Use Handoff with any Mac, iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, or Apple Watch that meets the Continuity system requirements. Handoff works when your devices are near each other and set up as follows:

Apple Watch: In the Apple Watch app on your iPhone, tap General and turn on Enable Handoff.Apple Watch supports handing off from watch to iPhone, or from watch to Mac using OS X Yosemite or later.

Use Handoff

On one of your devices, open an app that works with Handoff.Apps that work with Handoff include Mail, Maps, Safari, Reminders, Calendar, Contacts, Pages, Numbers, Keynote, and numerous third-party apps.

Use iPhone Cellular Calls

Or open the FaceTime app and enter the phone number in the search field. Tap the phone number in the search result, then tap Call.

Make a call on your Mac

Move the pointer over any phone number in Contacts, Calendar, Safari, or other app that automatically detects such data. Click the arrow in the box that outlines the phone number, then choose Call [phone number] Using iPhone.

Or open the FaceTime app and enter a phone number in the search field. Control-click the phone number in the search result, then choose the phone number from the pop-up menu.

Answer a call

On iPad or iPod touch, slide to answer the call.

On Mac, a notification appears when someone calls your iPhone. From there you can answer the call, send it to voicemail, or send the caller a message.

To stop getting calls at one of your devices, just turn off the Calls from iPhone setting on that device. See the setup section above for details.

If you have an iPhone, the text messages that you send and receive on your iPhone can appear on your Mac, iPad, and iPod touch as well. You can then continue the conversation from whichever device is closest to you.

Set up SMS and MMS messaging

Use this feature with any Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that meets the Continuity system requirements. Make sure that your devices are set up as follows:

On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Send & Receive. Make sure that the Apple ID at the top of the screen is the same Apple ID that you're using for iMessage on your other devices. Add a check to your phone number and email address, so that you can be reached by iMessage at both. Do the same on your iPad or iPod touch.

On iPhone, go to Settings > Messages > Text Message Forwarding, then choose which devices to allow to send and receive text messages from this iPhone. If you're not using two-factor authentication for your Apple ID, a verification code appears on each of your other devices: enter that code on your iPhone.

On Mac, open Messages, then choose Messages > Preferences. Click Accounts, then select your iMessage account. Make sure that the Apple ID shown here is the same Apple ID that you're using on your other devices. Add a check to your phone number and email address.

With Instant Hotspot, the Personal Hotspot on your iPhone or iPad (Wi-Fi + Cellular) can provide Internet access to a Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch without requiring you to enter the password on those devices.

Set up Instant Hotspot

Use Instant Hotspot with any Mac, iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch that meets the Continuity system requirements. It works when your devices are near each other and set up as follows:

Use Instant Hotspot

On Mac, use the Wi-Fi status menu in the menu bar to choose the name of the iPhone or iPad providing your Personal Hotspot .

On iPad, iPod touch, or even another iPhone, go to Settings > Wi-Fi, then tap the name of the iPhone or iPad providing your Personal Hotspot .

If you're asked for a password when connecting, make sure that your devices are set up as described above. The Wi-Fi status icon in the menu bar shows the Personal Hotspot icon as long as your device remains connected to your Personal Hotspot.

Set up and use Continuity Camera

With Continuity Camera, you can use your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to scan documents or take a picture and it appears instantly on your Mac. Learn how to use Continuity Camera.

FaceTime is not available in all countries or regions.

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